Chapter 37
Christmas Break, Part 2 – Year 3

Author's Note: Much of this chapter used to be Chapter 38, before my rewrite, but there are a couple of new scenes that have to do with the new storyline for Lucius and Draco.

(Ginny)

Because the fireplace at the Burrow was decorated for Christmas, along with the sitting room, the Floo Network was off-limits. So at half-past-eleven, Sirius and Amelia transported all the gifts via magic and brought Ginny and Harry to the Burrow via Apparation.

As Ginny, Harry, Sirius and Amelia stepped inside the Burrow, they were met with delicious aromas of a Molly Weasley feast, as well as Mrs. Weasley herself, who was waiting near the door, having heard the sounds of their Apparation. Ginny's father, as well as Hermione's parents, were sitting at the table.

"Happy Christmas all," Sirius said, "Are we the last to arrive?"

"No, Luna and Xenophilius will be here shortly," Mrs. Weasley said, as she hugged Ginny and Harry.

Ginny and Harry walked into the sitting room, where they found Ron and Hermione.

" – just a bit of fun, Hermione!" Ron exclaimed, "Actually it is a Weasley tradition!"

"Which tradition is that?" Ginny asked.

"Oh, hello!" Hermione said, "Ron was just trying to convince me that we should guess what is inside each present, because it is a tradition."

"It is," Ginny said, as she sat down with Harry on the couch, "Ron, Bill and the twins are really good at it. They can usually tell if something is clothes or if it is something else. Fred and George are excellent at guessing and Bill goes with the smarter route of looking at the shape. Ron tends to go the more physical approach… touching and shaking things."

"I do not touch or shake them!" Ron scowled.

"Well, not for a few years anyway," Ginny said, "Ever since Mum caught you and put shock spells on them every year since."

Hermione laughed.

Ron scowled, and in an obvious change of subject, asked "Did you get a new broom yesterday, Harry?"

"I was going to buy one," Harry said, "But Sirius sort of guided me away from the store, so I think I know what his Christmas present is. I did buy a present for myself, though."

Harry took off his coat and rolled up the sleeve of his sweater, revealing his new wand-holster.

"I wondered if you would get another one," Hermione said.

"Yeah," Harry said, "And it gave me an idea. I'm going to upgrade all of our wand-holsters with a couple charms. One is similar to the Summoning spell. If you lose your wand-holster, it will come back to you. The other – well – when Malfoy attacked me, I couldn't get to my wand, because it was stuck in my coat… so I can make it to where that never happens again. Our wands will no longer be impeded by clothing when we need them in our hands."

"Brilliant," Ron said, and Hermione agreed.

The four friends talked about innocent topics for a few minutes until Luna and her father arrived. Then Mrs. Weasley called the children in to help bring out plates, glasses and silverware to the tables. As Ginny had guessed, there were indeed warming charms around the tables, making it nice and comfortable, and coats obsolete.

Most of the younger group, except for Bill and Charlie, sat at one table, while the adults sat at the other. Ginny and Harry's backs were toward the adults table and they could hear the conversation during the meal. Most of it was casual, and Harry and Ginny joined in the conversations with their own friends and family. However the conversation at the adult's table turned more serious; it had moved to Lucius and Draco's whereabouts.

"Doesn't look like they are in England anymore," Sirius said, "Narcissa mentioned Scotland, so we're looking there."

"Scotland?" Mrs. Weasley said, "So they could be near Hogwarts?"

"Lucius isn't dumb unfortunately, Molly," Sirius said, "He has what he wants, and he is trying to stay in hiding, so I doubt he'd go anywhere near Hogwarts. We're going to broaden our search to Muggle and wizarding cities and villages to look for anything suspicious."

"Cities and villages?" Richard Granger asked, "Do you think they're hiding in plain sight?"

"Not likely at all," Amelia said, "Especially since Malfoy's face is all over Muggle media. I'm meeting with the Muggle Prime Minister the a couple days after I go back to work, and hope to work something out where we can introduce pictures of Draco to the Muggle media."

"I'm hoping this lead Narcissa mentioned about Castor and Illiana's youngest daughter, and her connections with Draco will go somewhere," Sirius said.

"Draco's not much of a common Muggle name," Helen said, "Will that be a problem?"

"That is where the Muggle-worthy Excuse Department comes in," Sirius said, laughing.

Richard asked what that Department did, and the conversation continued with Sirius, Amelia, Bill, Charlie and Mr. Weasley - all of whom had experiences with them - giving examples of Muggle-worthy Excuses, which caused laughter to ring out from around the table.

(Neville)

Meanwhile in Wiltshire at the manor of former Minister Cornelius Fudge, things were in full swing at Fudge's annual social Christmas party. Nearly all of the guests were members of old pureblood families. Unlike Augusta Longbottom, most of the guests still supported Cornelius Fudge and were unhappy to find out he had resigned from his post as Minister of Magic.

Neville was seated near a group of children – some of whom were his age, fellow classmates at Hogwarts, others younger or older, all of which were children of the guests at the party. This was how it usually was at the social parties Neville attended. He would be carted off to join those his age, while the adults usually gossiped away.

The only difference this year was that he actually had someone to talk with; he could never thank Daphne enough for that. Daphne, however, was talking to a couple of the older children, twin boy and a girl, whom Neville recognized as members of the Slytherin house. Except it seemed her conversation with them was a bit on the heated side, because she soon walked away from them, toward Neville, in a huff.

"Are you okay?" Neville asked her, as Daphne took the empty seat next to him.

"Just my cousins being their usual selves," Daphne said, "Bastian and Bella Blishwick, their mother is my aunt - mother's sister. We used to be really close."

"What happened?" Neville asked.

"They saw me with you in Hogsmeade on Halloween," Daphne said.

"Oh," Neville said, "sorry."

"Neville, don't apologize for that," Daphne said, "They're just mad because my boyfriend's a Gryffindor. They're not alone either when it comes to having issues with me and you, but I hardly care."

"So I guess introducing me to the family is out of the question," Neville said, trying to make a joke out of it.

"Believe me, you don't want to meet most of my family," Daphne said, "Count yourself lucky my father is too busy chumming it up with his friends to want to talk to you. Besides, you know how it is, I'm sure. Almost everyone here is related in some way. You and I could be distant cousins."

"Really?" Neville asked.

"Sure, but if you ask most of our fellow purebloods at Hogwarts," Daphne said, "they hardly care who they date as long as they don't have the same grandparents somewhere along the way."

"Er… I see," Neville said, "Then we're good, I suppose."

"Better than good," Daphne said, with a wink.

Neville blushed. "I'm happy you're here with me. I always feel so lonely and out of place when I come to a party like this. I hardly recognize anyone besides those I know from school."

"You're not alone, believe me," Daphne said, "For example, my sister's over there talking to a boy who is probably our age, and I don't recognize him."

Daphne nodded across the room and Neville looked and saw Astoria sitting close by a boy. The boy had long black hair and a tan skin-tone.

"Maybe he's from another school," Neville said, "Want to introduce yourself to him?"

"Nah, not at the moment," Daphne said, "I'm fine here with you."

"Me too," Neville said, "This is the first time I've enjoyed myself at one of these parties. Mostly because of you."

"Aw, I'd kiss you for that, but people would stare at us," Daphne said, "Maybe later though, if we can get away from everyone."

Neville blushed. "I'd like that."

(Ginny)

After the meal, it was time to open presents. Ginny received her usual Weasley Christmas sweater from her parents, but this time it was a bit heavier; wrapped inside the sweater was a book with a note attached on top. Ginny was rather horrified and embarrassed when she saw the title and Harry seemed to have noticed her expression.

What is it? Harry asked.

Looks like Mum found a way to have The Talk with me. She bought me a book-equivalent about it! A little more expansive than the Growing Up book Hermione gave me a couple years ago. The note here says it is charmed for only girls to read.

Good, I have no wish to read that. Harry said, Oooh yes!

Ginny grinned when she looked up and saw that Harry was unwrapping Sirius' gift to him – a new Firebolt – Bill, Charlie, Fred, George and Ron all looked on jealous and envious.

Hmm… maybe I should have opened that at home, Harry said, after Ron begged him to see it.

Ginny giggled mentally and opened Harry's present to her, which turned out to be a silver chain necklace. On the end of it, there was a large flat metal charm with some kind of rune on it.

I don't think we've studied this rune yet, Ginny said. What is it?

Danger… it is an alarm necklace. I have one too. Only those whom we trust can see us wear it, and nobody can take it off besides us. Watch this.

Harry tugged at his own chain necklace and held a fist around charm at the end. Ginny suddenly felt a warming sensation against her palm and realized it was coming from the charm.

I felt that! Ginny gasped, What was it?

The alarm, basically. If you feel that, it means I need you. If we ever lose our gifts again, these will let us know the other is in danger.

So if we're split up at all, like we were last Saturday when I went to the restroom…

Yeah… exactly. Once we learn more runes, we might be able to add more things onto the necklace.

Thanks, Harry, I only wish we had these last Saturday.

Well, now it won't happen again. As long as we don't take the necklaces off.

Ginny smiled and returned to opening her presents. She laughed when she saw Hermione's present, and also when Harry revealed his similar one.

(Ron's PoV)

An hour later, Ron kneeled down to the ground and balled up a snowball in his hands, then hid behind a tree in the orchard.

Most of the children, excluding Percy, but also including Bill and Charlie were in the middle of a free-for-all snowball fight. However, since the battle had begun, certain players had chosen teams. Predictably, Harry and Ginny had paired up, but so had Fred and George. Hermione, Bill and Charlie were all working on their own, as was Ron. However, Ron had been shadowing a certain smart witch for a few minutes, not to ambush her, but to protect her.

However, it looked like somebody was planning on ambushing Hermione. Or rather, two people – Fred and George had been going around to each of the players and ambushing them. So far they had succeeded against Harry and Ginny – somehow having outsmarted their telepathy (it was obvious Harry and Ginny were using it), as well as Bill and Charlie, and Luna. Ron and Hermione were left. Fortunately, Ron had evaded the twins. But he knew who their target was. Hermione had been chased into the orchard a few minutes ago by the twins, and Ron had come in as well.

He peered around a tree to look for Fred, George and Hermione. He then heard snickering and saw the twins up ahead.

"Evaded us far too long today, Miss Granger!" George said.

Hermione snorted and Ron saw her throw a snowball toward George. George ducked, and Hermione ducked too when Fred threw one at her. Ron narrowed his eyes and then he caught sight of something above Fred and George. A tree branch above them had a lot of snow on it. He grinned and walked out from behind the tree.

"Oi, Fred, George!" Ron said.

"Well, look who it is!" Fred said, "Come to rescue your girlfriend?"

Ron blushed. "She's not my girlfriend."

They're trying to distract me!

Ron aimed the snowball high, and this caused Fred and George to laugh.

"Missed!" Fred said,

"Good thing you're not a Chaser!" George said.

"I didn't miss," Ron said.

Then his eyes went upward, as did Fred and George's, just as a large snowdrift fell off the branch and hit Fred and George covering them in snow. Ron and Hermione laughed.

"Come on, Hermione!" Ron said.

Hermione grinned and nodded. She hit Fred with a snowball, then ran toward Ron, and they retreated from the orchard.

"That was fun," Ron said.

Hermione looked like she wanted to say something, when suddenly Ron got hit in the chest with a snowball. He turned and saw Sirius standing there.

"Nobody told us about a new entry!" Hermione said.

Ron grabbed snow from the ground and threw it toward Sirius. Sirius laughed and transformed into his dog form and ran off.

"I can't wait until I can do that," Ron said.

"Ron?" Hermione asked, and Ron turned toward her. "I want to tell you something."

"What?" Ron asked.

"Catch!" Hermione said.

She threw a snowball at him, then ran off.

"Why you little -!" Ron exclaimed and ran after her.

(Fred and George)

Fred and George Weasley emerged from the orchard, their hair and new Weasley sweaters half-soaked from the snow drift that had avalanched onto them.

"Fred," George said, "I did not expect that."

"We can't let them get away with that," Fred said, as he watched his little brother chase after Hermione.

"You're right," George said, "We need to do something about it."

"I think I have the perfect idea, George," Fred said, grinning.

He whispered something into George's ear, and George looked amazed.

"We did create those especially for today," Fred said, "Best we try them out before the day is over, yes?"

George agreed, and he and Fred hurried back into the battle.

(Hermione)

An hour later, everyone was thoroughly exhausted and now dried off with spells. Most of the adults were having conversation. Harry, Ginny and Luna were talking quietly to each other. Fred and George were oddly missing from the celebrations. As was Ron, but Hermione realized where he was. She made her way up the stairs towards Ron's attic bedroom and lightly tapped on the door.

"Come in," Ron said, though he sounded rather distracted.

Hermione opened the door and peered her head inside. Ron was sitting on the bed, and Hermione smiled when she saw that he was holding the lion cub stuffed animal.

"I see you like my gift," she said, grinning, and walked into the room.

Ron nearly jumped when he heard her. Blush claimed his cheeks, and Hermione giggled.

"Er… yeah," Ron said, "It is cute."

"I have a female version of it at home," Hermione said."Bought them at the same time yesterday. Supposed to represent your Animagus."

"Yeah, I figured that," Ron said. "I saw you gave Harry and Ginny stag and doe stuffed animals too."

"Couldn't find a wolf I liked – for Neville," Hermione said, "most of them looked like huskies, actually, which aren't wolves… obviously."

Ron nodded. "So.. er… you have a fun Christmas so far?"

"Nothing like a Weasley Christmas," Hermione said, grinning, "Might be something I have to do every year."

Ron blushed. "My parents obviously – err – you know, love you."

"I never did thank you for saving me from Fred and George during that snowball fight, huh?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, they were just joking around," Ron said.

"Still – we were the only two they didn't hit with snowballs," Hermione said.

"True," Ron said.

"So… thanks," Hermione said.

"You're – err – welcome," Ron said, "Suppose we better get back downstairs –"

Suddenly, Hermione heard a shuffling noise come from the doorway.

"Whose there?" Ron asked.

"Harry? Ginny?" Hermione called out.

"Er… probably Fred and George," Ron said.

Suddenly Hermione heard a jingling sound from above them. She looked up and blushed as she saw mistletoe above them. She looked back at Ron whose face was completely red.

"That must be something of Fred and George's," Ron said, "Idiots."

"Mistletoe," Hermione said.

"Yeah – err – I know what it is," Ron said, "They probably wanted to get me back for what I did in the orchard. Doesn't matter -"

He swiped at the mistletoe and Hermione heard a jingling sound that almost sounded like giggling as Ron's hand went through it without touching it.

"What the hell?" Ron said.

"I think I know why you can't touch it," Hermione said.

Ron looked at Hermione and raised his eyebrows. Hermione sighed and leaned toward Ron and kissed him.

Not on the lips, but on the cheek.

The mistletoe dropped down on Hermione's lap.

"It worked," Hermione said, grinning.

"Er – yeah," Ron said, "Guess so."

"Think I hear Mum calling," Hermione said.

She stood up and walked across the room to the door. She looked over her shoulder at Ron and saw him touching his cheek she had kissed.

"Coming, Ron?" she asked.

"Huh?" Ron asked, "Oh – oh yeah, sure."

Hermione smiled and started off down the stairs as Ron followed her. She was very aware of Fred and George's bedroom door closing, but decided not to say anything about it.

(Fred and George)

"That – was – close!" Fred panted as he rested against the door.

George was sprawled across his bed, also breathing hard. Do we call that a mission success or failure, Fred?"

"She kissed him," Fred said.

"On the cheek," George said.

"Mm, I suppose we should accept that for now," Fred said. "Our mistletoe seemed to have accepted it."

"A kiss on the cheek instead of the lips, and the mistletoe stops working," George said, "We need to figure out how to make it so it only accepts a lip-lock."

"Good for a first try though," Fred said,

"True," George said, "I mean – we haven't had any testers."

"We have testers," Fred said, "You and Angie."

"Er… I don't think she'll be up to it," George said.

"Oh, come on George," Fred said, "Don't you see the possibility? Have a price range… the higher the price, the longer the mistletoe stays above the victims – err – couple, and they have to keep kissing and snogging – when was the last time you got a full-on snog from Angie?"

"Fine," George said, "But you need to find a mate, mate! I don't want to be the only tester."

"We'll see," Fred said, shrugging, "Still… a success. So… when do you think those two will finally be a couple?"

"A year from now," George said, "Bet you ten galleons!"

"You're on, mate!" Fred said.

Meanwhile at Cornelius Fudge's party, the party guests gossip away, unaware that the most wanted man in magical Britain was standing nearby in disguise. The man in question was standing against a wall, a drink in hand, as he listened to the chatter around the room.

I am here for two reasons. To find out exactly what everyone is talking about when it comes to me, and also to keep a promise I had given my son. Hopefully, he will be more cooperative now that I have allowed him to see his friend.

He directed his eyes across the room, where the boy in question was giving a gift to a young girl by the name of Astoria Greengrass. When Astoria's eyes lit up at the necklace she had received, so too did the eyes of the man, but for a very different reason.

Yes. Very good, my son. When he said he wished to give something to Miss Greengrass for Christmas, I could only oblige. Little does he know what he is giving her is helping me get exactly what I want. Now all I have to do is wait for the day when my gift's effects finally take place…

Fortunately for Lucius Malfoy, he had gotten very good at the waiting game.

Dun-dun-dun! What is Lucius Malfoy up to? You'll find that out by the end of the third year portion of this story!

A portion of the next chapter will be the last of the "re-write" portion of the story, and then everything following will be new!